Question

With reference to Nationalism and the birth of the Indian National Congress, explain each of the following:

1. Role of Swami Vivekananda.
2. State any three objectives of the Indian National Congress.
3. Role of Dadabhai Naoroji.

Answer 1

1. Role of Swami Vivekananda:
   Swami Vivekananda played a monumental role in inspiring modern Indian nationalism through his philosophy of spiritual strength and self-reliance.
   • Awakening National Pride: He infused the youth of India with a sense of immense pride in their rich cultural and spiritual heritage, helping to eradicate the colonial inferiority complex.
   • Philosophy of Action and Courage: He preached the message of strength, courage, and self-confidence, famously urging Indians to “arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
   • Concept of Patriotic Mission: He redefined religion as an active service to the poor and downtrodden (Daridra Narayana), stating that service to the nation was the highest form of worship, which deeply inspired the early freedom fighters.
2. Three Objectives of the Indian National Congress (1885):
   The initial objectives of the Indian National Congress at its birth were:
   • Promoting National Unity: To promote friendly relations, cooperation, and solidarity among patriotic workers from different parts of the country, dissolving differences of race, creed, or province.
   • Formulating Public Demands: To gather popular and widespread public grievances from across India and present them in a mature, organised manner before the British government.
   • Organising Public Opinion: To train and organise public opinion throughout the nation, creating a strong, politically conscious populace capable of working toward national progress.
3. Role of Dadabhai Naoroji:
   Known as the “Grand Old Man of India,” Dadabhai Naoroji made unmatched contributions to the rise of Indian nationalism.
   • The Drain Theory: He authored the seminal book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, in which he formulated the “Drain Theory.” He mathematically proved how Britain was systematically draining India’s wealth to England, which provided an economic foundation for Indian nationalism.
   • Political Leadership: He was one of the prime founders of the Indian National Congress and achieved the rare honour of being elected its President three times (1886, 1893, and 1906).
   • The Demand for ‘Swaraj’: During his presidential address at the Calcutta Congress session in 1906, he became the first major leader to officially demand “Swaraj” (Self-Government) as the ultimate political goal of the Congress.